Means of Transportation for Expectant Women Seeking Obstetric Care

Globally, more than 600,000 women die annually from pregnancy related causes with more than half of the deaths occurring in Africa. More than 80% of these deaths occur either at home or during transportation time to the hospital. The World Health Organization underlines that most maternal deaths occur due to delays to access appropriate obstetric care. Lack of readily available, accessible, reliable, affordable and organized means of transportation for rural expectant women seeking obstetric care has been recognized as one of the risk factors contributing to these deaths. A number of studies have documented that means of transportation available for expectant women especially in resource poor settings are- uncomfortable, slow, unreliable, unaffordable and dehumanizing- thus, striping women respect and dignity. Provision of readily available, reliable, affordable and sustainable means of transportation to poor expectant women especially rural areas in Africa is key if developing countries wish to reduce home deliveries that have been recognized as a risk factor contributing to high maternal mortalities.